CHICAGO, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Marianne Markowitz, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will tour Advanced Language Access (ALA) - a thriving language interpreting and translation consultancy company - on Thursday, October 11, 2012. The company benefited from SBA's counseling and assistance programs that enabled the company's owner, Brandi Mercado, to grow, hire additional employees and extend a broader reach into international communities.

Regional Administrator Markowitz will highlight the Obama Administration's efforts to help Hispanic-owned small businesses like ALA get the resources they need to grow and create an economy built to last.

Founded in 2008, ALA specializes in catering to the needs of Limited English Proficient individuals by offering classes to injured workers, immigrants, victims and residents of under-privileged communities, which has given the company a plethora of opportunities to understand and relate to its growing and evolving clientele. ALA continues to promote its services throughout Ohio and participates in local activities including this year's Columbus International Festival.

ALA has seen an increased demand in services due to more immigrant entrepreneurs and international families choosing to live work and pay in Columbus. ALA's mission is to support and promote a progressive international community by facilitating cultural growth and understanding through the provisions of Interpreting Translation Tutoring and Training in the language of your choice.